According to data from Glassnode, there has been a remarkable 490% increase in XRP's active user addresses since the lowest point in 2022, indicating a surge in interest among speculative retail investors.

A leading firm in cryptocurrency market analytics, Glassnode has published its most recent findings, highlighting how Ripple's XRP has emerged as a go-to asset for retail investors in this market cycle, setting itself apart from Bitcoin, which has largely been driven by institutional investments.

As noted by Glassnode, XRP has become quite popular among retail traders, and its recent trends can also serve as a telling indicator of the demand from speculators in the retail sector. Since the 2022 market lows, the quarterly average of daily active XRP addresses has skyrocketed by 490%. In stark contrast, Bitcoin's growth during the same period has only been about 10%. This significant discrepancy points to a marked increase in retail interest surrounding XRP, highlighting the escalating speculative activity permeating the cryptocurrency space.

The contrasting trends in Bitcoin and XRP's price movements since the 2022 low further emphasize this shift in interest. While both cryptocurrencies have climbed approximately 5 to 6 times from their respective lows, the journey they've taken has been vastly different. Bitcoin XRP's price rally has been characterized by an organic and gradual build-up, with consistent growth punctuated by major events like the introduction of spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and pivotal political moments such as the U.S. electoral cycle. In contrast, XRP's price remained relatively stable until a sharp spike occurred in December 2024; this trend is more typical of retail-led speculation rather than a steady increase in demand.

In addition to the rapid capital inflows, there's been a significant rise in wealth concentration among fresh investors, with the percentage of XRP's realized capitalization tied to assets held for less than six months climbing from 23% to 62.8% in a short span. This coupled with high retail participation raises alarms about the exposure of these new entrants to potential price drops, especially as their average buying prices have increased.

These conditions resemble a precarious cost structure, evoking concern especially when examining XRP's Realized Loss/Profit Ratio. This metric has seen a continual decline since January 2025, suggesting that more investors are recognizing significant losses instead of gains. Such indicators typically signify a waning confidence among investors, pointing toward a market environment becoming increasingly fragile and high-risk. Given the predominant role of retail-driven capital and the wealth concentration among newer holders, it seems that retail confidence in XRP may be diminishing, potentially mirroring broader market sentiments as highlighted by

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Alisa, a passionate journalist at Cryptocurrencylistings, specializes in areas such as cryptocurrency, zero-knowledge proofs, investments, and the expansive scope of Web3. With a sharp focus on emerging trends and innovations, she provides in-depth coverage designed to inform and engage readers navigating the fast-changing world of digital finance. analysts .